Six 45 cm (18 in) diameter hydraulic rams (three on each side, each powered by a 55 kW electric motor) rotate the bridge back on large bearings to allow small ships and boats (up to 25 m (82 ft) tall) to pass underneath. The bridge takes as little as 4.5 minutes to rotate through the full 40° from closed to open, depending on wind speed. Its appearance during this manoeuvre has led to it being nicknamed the "Blinking Eye Bridge".[5]

Bollards were installed when the bridge was built to protect it from collisions. As the bollards were unsightly, and as it became noted that they were not really needed, they were removed in March 2012.[11]

Tilt times for the bridge are displayed both on the bridge itself, and also on a page on the Gateshead Council website.